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Production Sessions

In Production Sessions, the world's most elite and talented computer graphic experts and creative geniuses explain their processes and techniques for creating compelling content. Following each 60-80 minute presentation, attendees ask questions about the challenges and issues associated with complex productions in:

CG animation

Visual Effects

Gaming applications

Virtual reality

Themed entertainment

Cultural exhibition, projection mapping, and other applications of computer graphics

Production Gallery

This all-new, one-of-a-kind exhibit recognizes the art, processes, and physical materials involved in the creation of major studio projects — not just the final piece on screen. The gallery features artwork, props, costumes, and more from recent film, VR, or game productions for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.

Stories the Ocean Tells Us: The Making of "Moana"

Telling the story of "Moana" became one of the most ambitious things we've ever done at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. We felt a huge responsibility to properly celebrate the culture and mythology of the Pacific Islands, in an epic tale involving demigods, monsters, vast ocean voyages, beautiful lush islands, and a sweeping musical visit to the village and people of ​Motunui. Join us as we discuss our partnership with ​our Pacific Islands ​consultants, known as our "Oceanic Story Trust,"​ the research and development we pursued, and the tremendous efforts of our team of engineers, artists and storytellers who brought the world of "Moana" to life.

Osnat Shurer, Producer
Walt Disney Animation Studios

Kyle Odermatt, VFX Supervisor
Walt Disney Animation Studios

Hank Driskill, SDL-Technical Supervisor
Walt Disney Animation Studios

Dale Mayeda, Co-Head of Effects
Walt Disney Animation Studios

Adolph Lusinsky, SDL- Lighter
Walt Disney Animation Studios

Crazy Eight: The Making of a Race Sequence in Disney/Pixar's "Cars 3"

In this deep dive into "Cars 3", learn how Pixar filmmakers pulled off one of their most complex sequences ever: a figure-8 demolition derby filled with car crashes, mud, and explosions! The production team discusses the artistic and technical challenges involved in bringing this race to life. Park at your own risk. Pixar is not responsible for any damage to your vehicle.

Join the visual effects team from Industrial Light & Magic as they discuss the Academy Award nominated effects work that went into "Rogue One". Space battles, planetary destruction, "CG Miniatures", a re-programmed Imperial Droid, a Death Star and, yes, some digital human work for good measure, the crew will provide insight into the film's biggest challenges and discuss the solutions that brought this new chapter in the Star Wars universe to life.

Behind the Headset: The Making of Google Spotlight Stories’ “Son of Jaguar" and “Sonaria", and Oculus Story Studios’ “Dear Angelica”

Three unique VR production teams come together in this high-energy session to discuss their innovative approaches to immersive visuals, audio, and user experience, many of which are being presented publicly for the first time. For “Son of Jaguar", “Sonaria", and “Dear Angelica", brand-new tools and production pipelines were created to bring these intricate and immersive stories to life. Google Spotlight Stories, Oculus, and Reel FX present the techniques and storytelling strategies that have earned them reputations as world leaders in the realm of virtual reality and interactive mediums.

SON OF JAGUAR
A preview of Google Spotlight Stories’ “Son of Jaguar”. In the most important match of his life, the once-mighty, masked luchador, Son of Jaguar, faces his legacy, his family, and what it means to be a part of something bigger than himself.

SONARIA
A sneak peek at Google Spotlight Stories’ “Sonaria”. Follow two ever-changing creatures as they flow from one life form to another in a vivid journey of sound and light. The visual language of “Sonaria” is simple and abstract, designed to suggest; while the sonic language is layered and immersive, designed to answer.

DEAR ANGELICA
Entirely painted by a single artist's hand inside of VR using Quill, “Dear Angelica” plays out in a series of memories that unfold around you. The panelists talk about the unique process, tools, and pipeline used to make this illustrated VR story. “Dear Angelica” was the last VR immersive short released by Oculus Story Studio before its closure in May 2017.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is the visually spectacular new adventure film from Luc Besson, the legendary director of “The Fifth Element”, and is based on the ground-breaking comic book series Valérian et Laureline.

This session zooms in on the technologies deployed to create this fabulous universe.

Game of Thrones: Building and Destroying Meereen

The Rodeo FX team will take you through the process behind the creation of the award-winning environment of Meereen in seasons 4 and 5 of Game of Thrones, then its destruction in season 6. Created in season 4, the impressive city features a giant gilded pyramid crowned by a golden statue. What started out as a 2.5D matte painting evolved into a fully CG city in season 6, threatened to be destroyed when it's under attack by a huge fleet of ships.

Sony Pictures Imageworks, the Academy Award–winning visual effects and animation studio, has created extraordinary and visually stunning images for more than 100 live-action and animated productions over its 25-year history. The studio is a leader in technology, developing software and tools that have helped solve industry-wide challenges and deliver spectacular visuals to the big screen. Join the Imageworks team as they celebrate their rich history and reflect on the innovation, imagination, and creativity that has inspired audiences worldwide.

Moderator:
Mike Seymour
FXGUIDE

Jerome Chen, Senior VFX Supervisor
Sony Pictures Imageworks

Ken Ralston, Senior VFX Supervisor
Sony Pictures Imageworks

Mark Breakspear, VFX Supervisor
Sony Pictures Imageworks

Michael Ford, VFX Supervisor
Sony Pictures Imageworks

Sue Rowe, VFX Supervisor
Sony Pictures Imageworks

Blizzard Entertainment Presents: The Making of the Overwatch Animated Shorts

In March 2016, Blizzard Entertainment released the first in a series of animated shorts set in the world of their highly anticipated franchise, Overwatch. Over the course of the year, six stand-alone episodes – comprising over 40 minutes of original content – were released, giving millions of viewers their first look into the background of Overwatch’s most iconic heroes. Combined with the simultaneous release of short-form comics, teasers, and even the release of tracks from a character’s debut album, the Overwatch shorts are part of a robust cross-media approach to original storytelling and world-building.

To tell this much story, Blizzard Animation had to radically alter some of its production workflows and much of the technology used to produce the final episodes. Using the groundbreaking GPU-based ray-tracing renderer Redshift, the Overwatch shorts represent an entirely new, cost-effective animation pipeline that allows rich, high-quality content to be created in a fraction of the time traditionally associated with pre-rendered workflows. From story and animatic though 3D animation and delivery of the final content, Blizzard’s team shares some of the strategies, tools, and techniques employed to create a world worth fighting for in the Overwatch animated shorts.

Jeff Chamberlain, Vice President of Story and Franchise Development
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

The Making of Marvel Studio’s "Spider-Man Homecoming"

A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man, who made his sensational debut in “Captain America: Civil War”, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging superhero in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of his new mentor, Tony Stark, Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine - distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man - but when the Vulture emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened. Marvel Studios, Method Studios, Digital Domain, and Sony Pictures Imageworks take SIGGRAPH audiences through their VFX journey as they created some of the movie's most heart-stopping moments.

The Making of Marvel Studio’s "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"

Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies, and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand. Marvel Studios, Weta Digital, Framestore, and Method Studios take SIGGRAPH attendees through their VFX journey as they created some of the movie’s most heart-stopping moments.